OPENING: 27th March 2014 – 6.30pm-8.30pm

ARTISTS: Shona Te Hau • Kui Taukilo • Vicki Kinai • Kirsten Lyttle Curated by Grace Vanilau & Jacob Tolo

Weaving circles have been part of pacific culture for centuries. The spaces allowed women to gather and share knowledge, tell stories, strengthen bonds and pass down skills from elders to the next generation. Utilitarian objects such as baskets, implements for fishing and hunting etc. were woven by both sexes, but alongside these day-to-day items, it was the ornamentation with elements of experimental design that these weaving circles encouraged and sought to show a differentiation from neighbouring groups. New designs also showed the skill of the weavers and the island/tribal/social groups to which they belonged.

‘ACTWI’ aims to explore this idea of sharing innovation within in non-traditional setting with weavers from different parts of the Pacific (PNG, Niue and Aotearoa) and communities outside of these cultures.

Several workshops held at Blak Dot, leading up to the exhibition, will be open to all wishing to learn the art of lei making using traditional weaving techniques. Four weavers teaching skills from PNG, Aotearoa (NZ) and Niue. Participants will also display their lei’s in an installation as part of the exhibition.

This show is a satellite event to the ‘Contemporary Pacific Arts Festival’ held at the Footscray Community Arts Centre.

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